Naperville eyes plan to build 100 townhouses

Naperville Plan Commission members have reviewed a developer's proposal to build 100 townhouses on the northwest corner of Illinois Highway 59 and Gowdey Drive.

At a public hearing, Neumann Homes requested annexation to the city and a rezoning of the 11-acre site to residential. Original plans for the property were for the second phase of the Courtyard Village Apartments on the north side of the site.

The new plan, called Naperville Townes, is consistent with the city's master plan, according to the developer's lawyer, Kevin Gallaher.

The development shows plans for a possible gazebo, grills and sand volleyball pit. Storm-water detention is located on the southwest corner of the site, and there are access drives off of Illinois 59 and North Aurora Road. Neumann Homes also is asking the Illinois Department of Transportation for a traffic light at Gowdey and Illinois 59.

The proposal calls for private drives, which would be maintained through a homeowners association.

Commissioner Steve Albert said assurances, such as a special service area, could be put in place to protect the city from liabilities of a private road.

"There are financial ways around it," Albert said. "I don't see any reason why we shouldn't let them do it."

Michael Houston, representing Courtyard Village Apartments, said they were not notified by the city of the public hearing and opposes the proposed traffic light at Gowdey.

Commissioners requested that staff notify Indian Prairie School District 204 of the proposal and project how many students it would bring to the area.